Zimbabwe met up again in Bermuda this week.

Bermudian Mr. Robin Smith and Mr. Daisuke Ihara from Tokyo became friends while participating in Operation Raleigh, a programme centred around building and conservation all over the world.

The young men took part in the programme in Africa in 1990, where they built schools, garages and community centres -- while elephants and other wild animals wandered by.

The two had kept in touch, but they had not seen each other until a few days ago when Mr. Ihara arrived in Bermuda to board the Japanese tall ship Kaisei which is docked in St. George's.

He will spend about a month and a half on the training ship, helping to sail it from here to Antigua, Panama and Acapulco.

From Acapulco, Mr. Ihara will return to Japan and attend Hosei University in Tokyo.

The Kaisei , which leaves Bermuda today, carries 38 trainees and a professional crew. Half the positions are open to international cadets and the rest are reserved for Japanese.

Mr. Smith, of Southampton, attends Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. He hopes to become a teacher, and is working this summer at the Paget Primary summer day camp.

The location of the Operation Raleigh programme varies each year depending on which country offers to be the sponsor. The organisation seeks permission from the local government, and works with it to help the country.

Mr. Smith, 21, described it as a "mix between the Peace Corps and Outward Bound''. The programme, which lasts about three months, alternates between aiding the people and various activities such as hiking and kayaking.

Mr. Ihara, 23, spent his time in Africa canoeing and teaching the children.

Mr. Smith helped build toilets and went white water rafting.

They became friends when they found themselves sharing a cramped tent perched on a hillside. But they said they knew what they were in for before they arrived in the hot, dry country.

"I knew I was going there to work,'' Mr. Smith said.

REUNITED -- Bermuda's Mr. Robin Smith (left) and Japan's Mr. Daisuke Ihara meet again alongside the Japanese tall ship Kaisei in St. George's. yesterday.